Is New York City or Reading Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Reading is safer than New York City (Safety Score 47/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 42% lower. New York City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Reading has a 50% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 84.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than New York City, NY?
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City, NY
Reading, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | New York City | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,039.7 | 1,772.8 | +1,266.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 671.4 | 338.2 | +333.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 7.2 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 23.4 | 34.7 | -11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 187.5 | 100.1 | +87.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 456.2 | 195.2 | +261.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,368.3 | 1,434.6 | +933.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.7 | 233.0 | -78.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,015.0 | 973.8 | +1,041.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 198.5 | 227.9 | -29.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Reading safer?
Reading is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
New York City has a violent crime rate of 671.4 per 100K while Reading has 338.2. Reading has lower violent crime.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Reading, PA
Reading, a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, is known for its historic Pagoda overlooking the city. Once a major railroad hub, it now has a diverse population with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 97,868, Reading has a total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 residents.